Stuart Attwell was central to scrutiny as Everton suffered defeat against Tottenham.
Jordan Pickford has signed a new contract at Everton, but struggled to deal with Tottenham’s set-pieces in the first half on Merseyside.
The England number one was breached twice by Micky van de Ven as the returning Jack Grealish struggled for Everton and lost his marker.
The Toffees did think they had levelled just minutes later, but VAR Attwell has since come under fire for his call in L4.
Everton boss David Moyes looking furious
Credit: Imago
MORE TOFFEES STORIES
VAR wrong to get involved in Everton vs Tottenham
Everton lost 2-0 to Manchester City last time out, and there was hope that a home fixture would give the Blues a perfect chance to return to winning ways.
Instead, the home side fell to Tottenham, battering and arguably got everything they deserved in what was a largely shoddy performance.
That may be the case, but the Toffees could have been on level terms when Jake O’Brien powered home a header at the near post.
Guglielmo Vicario was left fuming as Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye appeared to hamper his movement inside the six-yard box.
View Tweet
On-field official Craig Pawson gave the goal before Video Assistant Referee Attwell urged the referee to conduct a review at the pitchside monitor.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes this was the incorrect use of VAR and refused to get behind the decision at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Hackett said: “The on-field Referee, Craig Pawson, has awarded the goal, and frankly, there is no way that the Spurs goalkeeper is going to save it.
“VAR Attwell just likes getting involved.
“With all the grappling that goes unpunished week in week out in the Premier League, I am not supporting that the contact by an Everton player impacted the goalkeeper.
“The Everton players in an offside position are not interfering with the goalkeeper because they are standing behind him.
“The goalkeeper’s line of sight is clear. It’s a subjective decision, and VAR should not have got involved.“
Everton didn’t deserve any luck vs Tottenham
In football, you make your own luck.
Everton were terrible against the Lilywhites and, besides O’Brien’s header, created precious little, especially in the second half.
Grealish and Ndiaye did their utmost, but were unfortunately let down by yet another shocking performance from Beto.
Beto attacking stats graphic
Credit: Sofascore
This duo were as good as it got for the hosts, whereas Tottenham created chances and served as a huge threat from set-pieces.
VAR probably got the call right and ultimately inspired Spurs to inflict Everton’s first home defeat of the campaign.
